'Electra at the Tomb of Agamemnon'

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Painting details

Title: 'Electra at the Tomb of Agamemnon'
Date: c.1869
Media: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 148.6 x 73.7 cm
Location: Ferens Art Gallery, Hull
Picture credit: Courtesy of Leighton House Museum, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (illustrated from Rhys, Ernest, (prefatory essay by Stephens, F. G.) 'Sir Frederic Leighton, Bart., P. R. A.: An Illustrated Chronicle', George Bell and Sons, London, 1895, p.

Description

Full-length, standing female figure, facing the viewer. The hands are raised above the body and hold the top of the head. The head is tilted up. The figure is in classical dress in black and grey. In the background a wall, building, stone steps and young trees can be seen. To the right, in the foreground, is a classical column with a woven basket of flowers in top. A decorated plate is propped against the base of the column. To the left of the the figure a decorated pitcher, with a wreath of leaves around it's neck, sits on a stone step behind her. Red drapery falls from the pitcher, down the step. To the lower left of the painting a wooden object rests on the ground.

Provenance

Collection of E.C. Potter; sold through Christie's London 22 March 1884 (lot 32); purchased by Agnew; purchased by Mrs. James Watney; collection of the Hon. Mrs. Charles Lyell; presented by Mrs. Charles Lyell to the Ferens Art Gallery in memory of Mrs. Watney in 1938

Bibliography

• Jones, Stephen et al., 'Frederic Leighton', Royal Academy of Arts, London, 1996, p.30 catalogue number 57,58. Ormond, LeonTe and Richard, 'Lord Leighton', Yale University Press, London, 1975, p.160 catalogue number 188
• Rhys, Ernest, (prefatory essay by Stephens, F. G.) 'Sir Frederic Leighton, Bart., P. R. A.: An Illustrated Chronicle', George Bell and Sons, London, 1895, p.xxii., 16, illustrated opposite p.16

Exhibition history

• 1869, Royal Academy of Arts, London, catalogue number 705
• 04 January 1897 to 13 March 1897, 'Exhibition of Works be the Late Lord Leighton of Stretton President of the Royal Academy: Winter Exhibition', The Royal Academy of Arts, London, catalogue number 80
• 1972, 'Albert Moore and his Contemporaries', Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle, catalogue number 105